top of page

How to get to Nanaimo

Coming from the USA? Don't have a car? Whether you are travelling by sea, air or car, there are endless ways to travel to the island

Family Watching Ocean

By Sea 🛥️

There are three boat companies that offer services from the main land to Vancouver Island; BC Ferries, Hullo and Coho. 

  • BC Ferries​​​

    • Horseshoe Bay Terminal is located in Central Nanaimo and services to Horseshoe Bay. 

    • Duke Point Terminal is located 20 minutes south of Nanaimo with services to Horseshoe Bay and Tsawassen.

    • Reservations are strongly recommended. Fares can vary depending on vehicle size, number of passengers and sailing time (early morning and late-night ferries are typically cheaper)

    • Crossing is 1hr40 minutes (from horseshoe bay) and 2 hours (from Tsawwassen)

  • Hullo

    • Connects downtown Vancouver with downtown Nanaimo​
    • Passenger-only ferry, no car

    • There are taxis and shuttle services available at each terminal

    • Crossing  time is approximately 70 minutes

  • Coho (USA Ferry Services)

    • Services between Victoria and Port Angeles WA. ​

    • Crossing takes approximately 90 minutes

Image by Gary Tou

By Air 🚁🛩️✈️

Nanaimo offers three options for air travel:

  • YCD - Nanaimo Airport

    • Offer service to various destinations

    • The airport is located 20 minutes south of Nanaimo

    • Taxis and rental car kiosks are available at the terminal

    • It is not an international airport, you cannot fly directly from the U.S. to Nanaimo.

  • Floatplanes

    • Harbour Air offers flights between Nanaimo Harbour and downtown Vancouver, as well as to various coastal destinations

    • Seair Seaplanes offers scheduled flights between Nanaimo and YVR(Richmond)

  • Helijet

    • A more premium option, offering service between downtown Vancouver,  YVR and Nanaimo​

⛴️Departure Bay - Horseshoe Bay.png

© 2025 by Nanaimo Division of Family Practice. All rights reserved.

  • LinkedIn
  • facebook
  • youtube
bottom of page